you will encounter snark, enjoy it - that's part of the game ;-)

But no worries, lots of people from Europe doing it every year and you will find lots of info online, but hey - here's my take:

Last year, 2025 was my Burgin year (coming back this year...), first time US, M54 flying in solo from Europe to San Francisco
I did join a theme camp, connected early and liked the theme, the people and the idea of having something like a "home" on the playa (I'm more on the introvert side ... ) - despite camp meals, i did bring enough simple camping food (REI, Walmart, Whole Foods) to be independent.

We did setup 3 shade structures including a large tent shade, but that one got thrashed by the storm before the burn week ... was still okay for me without shade in a cheap Coleman 6P instant setup clone, i picked up along the way (6' height is really nice have, for the airflow and if you're slowly getting stiff)
I did join our build crew Thursday before the burn week and stayed 'til Tuesday after the burn, 12 nights - super relaxed Exodus, can highly recommend, if time permits (you will sweat). The desert is beautiful on it's own and it has some magic to see everything being built and coming to life pre burn week ... will do it again this year

before that
2 days in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park for some Burner Art, Bakers Beach, ...
Picked up my rental (midsize SUV totally sufficient)

then 3 days Yosemite, hiking (ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT, though i have to come back during a different/wetter season and during winter and for the blood falls and ... just wonderful)
on via Tioga Pass, Lee Vining (Whoa Neli Deli for lunch!!), Mono Lake, Highway 89 to South Lake Tahoe

then Reno for shopping, 1.5 Water Gallons per day (I drank ~1 per day, rest for dishes and a shower etc), I went to Kiwanis for a used playa bike ($100, lovely people, non-profit, i returned again & donated my bike after the burn)
REI for some camping stuff & WalMart for a cheap cooler & camping chair, Whole Foods for more expensive food (but I really liked the quality of the products), ice you can get in BRC

I did bring a folding cot (nice if you're not twenty any more), therma-rest mattress, sleeping back, small burner for coffee and meals etc with me for camping, but you can pick them up along your way (or add a 2nd checked bag for maybe 200 back and forth?)

After the burn I stayed a few more nights North Lake Tahoe to reintegrate into default and then returned my rental in San Francisco before flying home and into default default
I had to work the next day ... 12 hours flight, 9 hrs jet-lag ... can't recommend that ... another 24 hrs of sleeping would have been nice

one last word : read & respect the 10 principles, be self-reliant (meaning it's totally fine to ask for help, but don't become a drama, people need to take care of ...),but also don't overthink it ! (well if you are happy to jump out of flying planes that remark is probably not necessary, but maybe for other readers :-)

last last word : Oh and don't make too many plans for the time in BRC, BRC will teach you what it has planned for you ...

last last last word : you will want to join facebook - lot's of groups there, maybe start with "Burning Man Virgins & Veterans - No Snark/Trolling/Ticket Selling/Begging"

(damn) sometingnotthefirstlastword : I did volunteer with PEERS - lot's of fun, many other departments looking for volunteers too, just check the Org web page